“Dishonest” ABS owner banned for multiple breaches
A non-lawyer owner of an alternative business structure responsible for multiple rule breaches – including a £3.6m shortfall on his firm’s client account – has been banned.
Standards committee backs AI “regulatory assurance body”
A body that identifies gaps in the regulatory landscape on the use of artificial intelligence and advises individual regulators is needed as the technology develops, the government has been told.
New setback in race to begin whiplash reform in April
The Civil Procedure Rule Committee last week put off approving the rules for the new whiplash portal until next month, making the April start-date all-but impossible.
Solicitor’s “manifest incompetence” in employing banned barrister
A solicitor who employed a banned barrister as a consultant without checking his identity or his record with the Bar Standards Board has been fined £20,000.
Top politician and ex-chief of defence staff join ABS
An alternative business structure that combines legal and political advice has hired Theresa May’s former chief of staff as well as a former chief of the defence staff.
Seven advice services to benefit from foundation grants
Seven legal advice services have received support in the latest round of grants from the Access to Justice Foundation, which has been boosted by a major pledge from a well-known London law firm.
Age discrimination solicitor awarded £13k in damages
An experienced property solicitor who won a claim of age discrimination after being rejected for a job at a law firm, has been awarded damages of £13,200. Nearly half of this was aggravated damages.
Unlimited annual leave policies “work for right firms”
Unlimited paid holiday leave has helped raise overall productivity, improved teamwork and reduced sick leave, according to one of the first law firms to adopt it.
Big law firms “under-pricing” work
Large law firms are damaging their profitability by poor scoping of work and under-pricing it, and are also set to penalise lawyers who offer clients overly large discounts, a survey has found.
First apprentice qualifies as chartered legal executive
A paralegal at listed law firm DWF has become the first chartered legal executive to qualify through an apprenticeship, an appropriate landmark for National Apprenticeship Week.
